Ghost Town of Bodie: Spectres, Curses and “Arrested Decay”

Image by Jon Sullivan

The old mining settlement at Bodie in California is arguably America’s best preserved ghost town. Dating back to the 1800s, the town is frozen in a state of “arrested decay”, looked after as a historic park but not restored to its original state. This makes Bodie both authentic and mysterious, with original fixtures in the buildings remaining untouched since their occupiers deserted them. In essence, it is as though an entire community just disappeared.

In the words of one Urban Ghosts reader, “Bodie is a photographer‘s dream”.  So with that thought in mind, here’s a selection of stunning images to inspire and intrigue.

Image by Jon Sullivan

Bodie Folklore

Local legend speaks of a little girl whose family moved from San Francisco to Bodie.  Depending on who relays the story, the girl allegedly wrote in her diary: “Good, by God, I’m going to Bodie” or alternatively, “Goodbye God, I’m going to Bodie.”  What do you think?  History of the inherent lawlessness and shadowy profiteering of the Wild West suggests the latter…

Image by Jon Sullivan

Haunted Bodie

Unsurprisingly, Bodie abounds with whispers of the paranormal, none more famous than the haunted Cain residence.  Jim Cain was a local businessman who prospered by bringing lumber to the desolate town of Bodie.  Buildings were constructed from and heated by wood, and the mills burned vast amounts of it in their steam engines, broadening Mr Cain’s wallet with every last ember.

Image by Jon Sullivan

He set up home on the corners of Green and Park Streets and hired a Chinese maid.  Not long after, the word around the camp fire (no doubt made of Mr Cain’s wood!) was that he was having an affair with the maid, who was promptly fired by Mrs Cain.  Publically disgraced – hard to imagine in a town dominated by gambling, prostitution, shoot-outs and the like – and unable to find work, the maid killed herself.

Old saloon (image by Jon Sullivan)

Some say the Chinese lady’s spectre haunts the Cain house to this day, unable to rest or let others rest within its walls.  Over the years, the house has provided accomodation for park rangers and has also been open to the public.  Children have reported a ghostly apparition in the upstairs bedroom, while others have heard music coming from the same room, which has been empty on every occasion.

Image by webmink

In one chilling account, the wife of a park ranger said:

Image by Thomas Fanghaenel

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The Curse of Bodie

One of the most bizarre stories associated with Bodie is a mysterious curse that, once again according to folklore, has been put on certain visitors to the town.  Allegedly, the spirits of the dead residents serve as guardians of the town today, bringing bad luck and misfortune to souvenir hunters who take anything – regardless of size – with them after they leave.

Image by Telstar Logistics

Image by astronautilus

(Image licensed undet the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)

It’s a fun story, you might say, and certainly makes life more interesting, but the fact is that every year, park rangers receive objects in the mail.  Some even have anonymous notes enclosed, apologising to both the park rangers and the spirits who watch over the old town.  Have you removed anything from Bodie belonging to one of its dead residents?  You have been warned!

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